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Designated for assignment, Komatsu in limbo

Designated for assignment, Komatsu in limbo

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ST. LOUIS -- Unable to play and unaware of which organization he might be a member of in a few days, Erik Komatsu stopped by the Cardinals' clubhouse on Thursday to say some goodbyes and collect his belongings.

Komatsu is not officially a former Cardinal, though the club is prepared to lose him soon. The Rule 5 Draft pick was designated for assignment on Tuesday when the Cardinals needed his roster spot for Allen Craig. Komatsu expects to know on Friday where he is headed.

"I'm so used to coming to the field every day, and I'm not," said Komatsu, who has spent the last few days watching games in his nearby apartment. "It's kind of like, 'What am I going to do?' Hopefully something good will come out of this."

As a Rule 5 pick, Komatsu must be placed on waivers, where any other club can claim him. If one does, that team would be required to keep Komatsu on its 25-man roster all year, per Rule 5 rules. If no one claims Komatsu, the Cardinals must offer him back to the Nationals, who, according to a source, are interested in reacquiring the outfielder. The Nationals would have to pay the Cardinals $25,000 to take Komatsu back.

St. Louis' other option is to try and work out a trade with Washington, which would allow the Cardinals to keep Komatsu, but also send him to the Minors.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Komatsu said. "I'm thankful for the opportunity I got here. It was fun. It's a great group of guys. I just wish them the best of luck. Hopefully one way or another I'll be back here."